MANILA, Philippines – After a gutsy debut in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin looks to maintain the momentum in his buildup to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The 26-year-old Ganapin said he hopes to get an invite to compete in the World Taekwondo Grand Prix as he eyes more tournaments next year.
A one-armed wonder, Ganapin also recently got selected by Atletang Ayala, making him the first para athlete picked in the program where national team members are given career development opportunities within the Ayala Group of Companies.
“We are happy that more opportunities have opened for us, and for me,” said Ganapin, one of 19 athletes who will receive comprehensive support for their training and competition needs from the Ayala Foundation.
“As we age, we need to think of our career outside the mat,” added Ganapin.
“My long-term plan is to make it to LA, and my short-term plan is to make it there through [the help of] Atletang Ayala. I want to gain ranking points to make it [back to the Paralympics].”
Joining Ganapin in the Atletang Ayala program are Olympians Joanie Delgaco (rowing) and Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo).
Fencers Noelito Jose Jr. and Nathaniel Perez return from the first batch, and will be joined by newbies Franchette Quiroz, (shooting), Jonathan Reaport (archery), and Sammuel Tranquilan (fencing).
Also joining the roster are Jason Baucas (wrestling), Abby Bidaure (archery), Baby Canabal, (taekwondo), Amparo Acuña (shooting), Janna Catantan (fencing), Dave Cea (taekwondo), Nicole Cortey (fencing), Laila Delo (taekwondo), John Ferrer (judo), Veronica Garces (taekwondo), and Leah Jhane Lopez (judo).
Aside from full-salaried employment with flexible work arrangements, the athletes will be covered by the Healthway Medical Network’s Athletes’ Health program, which includes physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and sports psychology.
They will also gain access to sports and fitness facilities at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite and receive fixed support for international training camps and competitions.
Aside from these, they will actively participate in sports-related and volunteer programs of various Ayala companies and Ayala Foundation for four years.
During the Paris Paralympics, Ganapin delivered an impressive run to reach the round of 16 of the men’s K44-80kg category.
Ganapin emerged victorious in his first match, pulling off a come-from-behind decision, 22-13, over Afghan Hadi Hassanzada of the Refugee Paralympic Team in the round of 32.
The Philippine pride then came close to scoring an upset over Azerbaijan’s Abulfaz Abuzarli, a gold medalist in the World Taekwondo, in the round of 16 after leading early before yielding at 12-9. – Rappler.com